Multiple round pokers

ABSTRACT

A method of playing a casino wagering card game, featuring multiple rounds of dealing poker hands, out of the same deck(s), and before a new shuffle, and or a new deck(s) of cards being used. Joker(s) are not used in the preferred way of playing the game, but may be used in a different version. The method will use at least a 52 standard poker deck (s) of cards, and allow the players to wager against an Ante against the dealer, and or wager against a predetermined payout schedule, and or wager on a bonus event. Additional options of wagers may be made available. Multiple Round Poker will offer the method of playing a poker wagering game, wherein the number of rounds dealt to the players and the dealer before a shuffle is two or more.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is filed in connection with and claiming the benefit ofU.S. Provisional Application No. 60/627,537 filed on Nov. 12, 2004identifying Larry E. Kekempanos and James Thomas Kenny as co-inventors.

BACKGRUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to gaming and to card games. Moreparticularly, the present invention pertains to a method of playing anew type of poker game especially adapted for casino gaming, both inlive table and electronic video formats, wherein the number of roundsdealt to the players and or dealer before the shuffle is two or more.

Gaming establishments continually require new games to offer theirplayers. Casinos are also in need of games which are easy to play andeasy to deal. Such games are generally required to enable each player toplay against a banker (who usually also acts as a dealer) provided by acasino, rather than against other players. This type of Casino Poker canprovide more revenue to the casino that traditional poker because CasinoPoker is invariably structured to give the casino an advantage.Exemplary of Casino Poker are the casino games of “Let It Ride”,“Caribbean Stud Poker” and “Three Card Poker. These type games requireless space than the traditionally larger tables found in poker rooms andare dealt much faster.

In games like Let It Ride and Caribbean Stud Poker, the poker hands thatthe player must make to get a payoff are hard to get thus the payoffsare infrequent. The player is frustrated because many times they noticethat they did not receive a good hand, and neither did any of the otherplayers. In a three-card game like Three Card Poker, the hands aresometimes made easier but with only one round dealt out of a singledeck, the player(s) is still frustrated since the number of payoffs isstill rather low. Numerous times, the remainder of cards in the deckthat is unexploited, in many Casino Poker games, is where most of thewinning combinations are to be found. Therefore, there is a need for agame, which would bridge the gap in ease of making a hand with morefrequent payouts to the player(s), and feature two or more rounds ofdealing from the same deck(s), and before a shuffle. This new gamefeature of multiple rounds in poker shall be incorporated into theplayers and or the dealer receiving a predetermined number of cards,consisting of at least 1-7 cards, and more particularly a finalized handcomparison against the dealer and or against a predetermined pay scale,for either a 1 card poker hand, 2 card poker hands, 3 card poker hands,4 card poker hands, 5 card poker hands, 6 card poker hand and or anyother predetermined amount of card and combination of hands, beingcompared before a new shuffle, independently and or in combination ofhands with the dealer and player(s).

In addition, as will be more apparent from the following specification,and as was more fully delineated in our provisional application filedNov. 12, 2004, it has been determined that the player interest isincreased when the odds of the player being able to achieve a winninghand are increased. This of course, must be balanced against theplayer/dealer/casino having good odds in winning as well. It is clearthat with single round card poker games, the odds of achieving a goodhand are more difficult that in a multiple round poker card game. As hasbeen indicated above, in a single round poker game, the ability toachieve a good hand is less and therefore the payoffs are less. Thepresent invention seeks to provide a card game, which now focus's on amultiple round poker game and as will be demonstrated hereinafter,improves the odds for the player to win, while still maintaining goododds for the casino as well. It will also be appreciated that the overall odds for a player winning in a multiple round poker card game withtwo or more rounds before a shuffle, are easier than the odds for aplayer to win any single round card poker game with only one round.

Insofar as the prior art is concerned, the art is particularly void ofany disclosures or showings of a multiple rounds poker game, out of asingle deck(s) and before a shuffle or a new deck of cards areintroduced. Similar games are disclosed, but they relate to dealing onlyone round of poker from the same deck, in a three card game or a fivecard game. Furthermore, the games disclosed in the prior art are playedwith one round of cards dealt before a shuffle and hence, have adifferent basis for play and a different statistical odds for the playerbeing able to achieve a winning hand. For example, the patent to Webb,U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,774 discloses a poker style casino card game whichmay be played in either a three card variation, or a five cardvariation. Webb discloses in the prior art, a player wagering against apredetermined payout schedule, a dealer's hand, or both. The dealer mustdetermine whether his hand exceeds a predetermined rank, and if it doesnot, the bank paying each player an amount based on the bet andreturning the other bet to the player, or if the dealer's hand exceedsthe predetermined rank, comparing the dealer's hand in turn with that ofeach player who placed both bets, and if the player's hand is higher,the banker paying the player and amount based on both bets, and if theplayer's hand is lower, the player forfeiting both bets, and the bankerpaying the fixed payout bet in accordance with a predetermined scale toany player who placed the first bet and whose hand exceeds the firstpredetermined rank. Webb fails to reveal any capability to deal morethan one round from the same deck(s), and before a shuffle.

Another prior art U.S. Pat. No. 5,997,002 to Goldman, discloses a pokerstyle casino card game which uses a 52 card standard playing deck plusan additional five jokers for a total of 57 cards. Play consists ofdealing 5 cards to each player, and in the preferred embodiment, isdealt face down. The game is played by the dealer revealing a firstcard, and a player revealing a first card, then deciding on additionalwagers. The sequence of the game terminates when all five cards aredisplayed, assuming each player has stayed in the game, comparing thebest five card hand of the dealer against each player five cards.Goldman also reveals that jokers which are part of the deck are neverwild and hence, a player receiving a joker ends up in a poor positionsince on of the five cards cannot count toward the making of a pokerhand. Again, Goldman fails to reveal any capability to make or deal morethan two rounds from the same deck(s), and before a shuffle.

The patent to Breeding U.S. Pat. No. 5,288,081 describes still anothervariation of a poker game which is played by the player placing a threepart bet. Cards are dealt by the dealer, two face down to the dealer andthree face down to each player. Players inspect or sweat their cards andthe dealer gives each player the choice of withdrawing or leaving afirst part of the bet. Each player decides and the dealer then turnsover one of the cards and again gives each player the choice ofwithdrawing or leaving the second part of the bet. The players decide,their cards are shown, and all remaining bets, which were not withdrawn,are resolved. Once again, Breeding fails to disclose or appreciate totwo or more rounds before a shuffle, from the same deck(s).

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an enjoyable newcard game.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a game thatis easy to learn and deal.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a game thatmakes it easier and more often for a player to make a hand than in anyother poker card game, and hence enhances the odds of the player beingable to win in a multiple round(s) versus only a single round.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a game thathas more frequent payoffs than in a single round poker game since theodds and probability are harder in a single round poker game than theyare in a multiple round(s) poker game, but nevertheless still maintainsthe player interest due to the enhanced ability to obtain a winning handversus a poker game that deals only one round of cards from a deck(s).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention discloses a poker game variation in which one ormore players play against the casino. Broadly, the invention is directedto a poker game variant in which a player has a choice between severalwagers among the following; an initial stake ante wager against thedealer, and a separate voluntary middle stake wager against apredetermined payout schedule.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, one or more playersinitially place a wager(s) and then X cards are dealt to the players.Players would inspect their hands, and if their hand has achieved apre-determined rank, the player would win that wager accordingly. Theremainder of cards in the deck(s) is now used to deal the second roundof cards before a shuffle. Now, the players that had made the nextwager, would be dealt X cards, from the remaining deck(s), inspect theirhands, and if their hand has achieved a pre-determined rank, the playerwould win that wager accordingly. This version would include a standarddeck of at least 52 playing cards, with or without at least one joker.This version may also include a non-standard deck of at least 52 playingcards, with or without at least one joker.

In a second preferred embodiment of the invention, one or more playersinitially place a wager(s) against the dealer and a separate voluntarywager against a predetermined pay scale and then X cards are dealt tothe players. Y amount of cards are dealt to the dealer. Players wouldinspect their hands, and if their hand has achieved a pre-determinedrank, the player would win that wager accordingly. Then, comparing theplayers best X poker hand against the dealer's best Y poker hand andexcluding all extra cards dealt to determine the relative ranking therebetween. The remainder of cards in the deck(s) is now used to deal thesecond round of cards before a shuffle. Now, the players that have madethe next wager(s) against the dealer and a separate voluntary wageragainst a predetermined pay scale and then X cards are dealt to theplayers. Y amount of cards are dealt to the dealer. Players wouldinspect their hands, and if their hand has achieved a pre-determinedrank, the player would win that wager accordingly. Then, comparing theplayers best X poker hand against the dealer's best Y poker hand andexcluding all extra cards dealt to determine the relative ranking therebetween. This version would include at least a standard deck of at least52 playing cards. This version may also include a non-standard at least52 card deck.

In a third preferred embodiment of the invention, one or more playersinitially place a wager(s) against the dealer and a separate voluntarywager against a predetermined pay scale and then X cards are dealt tothe players. Y amount of cards are dealt to the dealer. Players wouldinspect their hands, and if their hand has achieved a pre-determinedrank, the player would win that wager accordingly. Then, comparing theplayers best X poker hand against the dealer's best Y poker hand andexcluding all extra cards dealt to determine the relative ranking therebetween. The remainder of cards in the deck(s) is now used to deal thesecond round of cards before a shuffle. Now, the players that have madethe next wager(s) against the dealer and a separate voluntary wageragainst a predetermined pay scale and then X cards are dealt to theplayers. Y amount of cards are dealt to the dealer. Players wouldinspect their hands, and if their hand has achieved a pre-determinedrank, the player would win that wager accordingly. Then, comparing theplayers best X poker hand against the dealer's best Y poker hand andexcluding all extra cards dealt to determine the relative ranking therebetween. This version would include at least a standard deck of at least52 playing cards and at least one joker.

In a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention, one or more playersinitially place a wager(s) against the dealer and a separate voluntarywager against a predetermined pay scale and then X cards are dealt tothe players. Y amount of cards are dealt to the dealer. Players wouldinspect their hands, and if their hand has achieved a pre-determinedrank, the player would win that wager accordingly. Then, comparing theplayers best X poker hand against the dealer's best Y poker hand andexcluding all extra cards dealt to determine the relative ranking therebetween. The remainder of cards in the deck(s) is now used to deal thesecond round of cards before a shuffle. Now, the players that have madethe next wager(s) against the dealer and a separate voluntary wageragainst a predetermined pay scale and then X cards are dealt to theplayers. Y amount of cards are dealt to the dealer. Players wouldinspect their hands, and if their hand has achieved a pre-determinedrank, the player would win that wager accordingly. Then, comparing theplayers best X poker hand against the dealer's best Y poker hand andexcluding all extra cards dealt to determine the relative ranking therebetween. This version would include at least a non-standard deck ofcards, with or without jokers.

It is contemplated that in the game of the present invention, for thegame to begin, the casino may either require the dealer or the player toachieve a qualifying hand. If the dealer must qualify and he does not,then the initial wager made by the player against the dealer would bepaid. If the player was required to qualify and did not, then the playerwould forfeit their initial wager against the dealer. The game may beplayed without requiring any of the participants to have a qualifyinghand in order to continue with the game.

A novel gaming layout for use in the casino version of the game is alsodisclosed.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more importantfeatures of the invention in order that the detailed description thereofthat follows may be better understood, and in order that the presentcontribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course,additional features of the invention that will be described hereafterand which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. Inthis respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the presentinvention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited in its application to the details of construction or to thearrangements of the components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of otherembodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways.Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein are for the purpose of description and should not beregarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily beutilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods, andsystems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention.It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as includingsuch equivalent construction insofar as they do not depart from thespirit and scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a playing surface for use in playing a card game of oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a chart indicating winning poker hands and their payouts inone example of a wager against a predetermined pay scale of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is a chart indicating winning poker hands and their payouts inone example of a wager against a predetermined pay scale of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a chart indicating winning poker hands and their payouts inone example of a wager against a predetermined pay scale of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a chart indicating winning poker hands and their payouts inone example of a wager against a predetermined pay scale of the presentinvention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, playersplay against a casino. However, in jurisdictions where such games arenot legal, such as in California, one player may be designated“Player-Dealer” and all the other players would play against thePlayer-Dealer. The option to act as Player-Dealer would be offered toeach player in their turn. In this specification, the term “Dealer” isintended to refer to either a casino dealer, or a Player-Dealer,whichever is appropriate for the circumstances under which the game ofthe present invention is played.

FIG. 1 shows a playing surface or table layout 25 on which oneembodiment of the present invention is played. The layout 25 may bemarked or placed on any suitable surface such as a gaming table. Forexample, the layout may be in the form of a layout cloth supported on asupporting surface. The layout provides a playing area 30 for aplurality of players, for example seven players, and a separate area 35for a banker who also preferably acts as the dealer. Each playing area30 has a number of marked sections or zones 12, 14, 16 for the placingof various wagers by a player as will be described hereafter.

Each player takes a place at one of the playing areas 30. The game isplayed and initially commenced with multiple rounds of poker being dealtfrom the same deck(s) before a shuffle, as will be described. In eachround, each player has the option of playing against the dealer, and orwagering on the rank of his/her hand against a predetermined pay scaleor a combination of the two. The player(s) will further have the optionof continuing with the game for at least another round of cards before ashuffle, immediately after the first round is dealt and before theremaining cards are shuffled. In other variations of the game, theplayer may be offered more options. The preferred embodiment of thepresent invention is played with at least a standard deck of 52 playingcards plus two jokers. The two jokers together form the highest hand orcombined with another card, form a pair.

At the beginning of the game each player decides whether to play thatparticular round by wagering against the dealer, i.e. an “INITIAL ANTE”wager, by wagering on the hand value only, i.e. “PREDETERMINED PAYOUTSCHEDULE AGAINST A PAYSCALE” wager, or both. The player must now alsomake his/her wages for the second round. To play against the dealer aplayer makes an INITIAL ANTE wager by placing an appropriate wager, suchas a token or chip, or where permitted, cash, on the section 14 ofhis/her/playing area 30. The gaming chip may be of any conventional kindand available in a number of denominations such as are well known withinthe art. The casino will post the house betting limits. If a playerwishes to wager based on the value of his/her hand, the player wouldplace an appropriate token, chip, or cash on the “PREDETERMINED PAYOUTSCHEDULE AGAINST A PAYSCALE” wager in section 12 of his/her playing area30. In the present example, the rules of the game provide that payoutswill be made according to a displayed payout schedule with “Pair orMore” payouts starting at a pair or better. In one embodiment of thepresent invention, hands are ranked according to the followinghierarchy, though other rankings may be used:

-   Highest:-   Joker version rankings;-   1 2 Jokers Mini Royal Ace/King of one suit Straight Flush: Two of    one suit in sequence K, Q highest ranking straight flush 2, A lowest    ranking straight flush Straight: Two in sequence A, K highest    ranking K, Q second highest ranking and so on until A, 2 lowest    ranking straight 1 Pair: Two of one rank A, A highest K, K next    highest ranking pair, and so on until 2, 2 lowest ranking pair    Flush: Two of one suit A, Q highest ranking flush K, J next highest    ranking, and so on, until 4, 2 lowest ranking flush High Card: (A    hand comprising none of the above) A, Q highest A, J next highest    ranking card, and so on, until 4, 2 lowest ranking high card-   Ace is high, but can be low in Straight A, 2 and Straight Flush A, 2-   This is but one of many different ways to rank the cards.

The payout schedule may be varied in accordance with the rules of thegame and/or the casino. For example, another version of the game mayeliminate the jokers and have the following rankings:

-   Non-joker version:-   Straight Flush-   One Pair-   Straight-   Flush-   High Card

One of the wagering options in one embodiment of the present inventionis a wager against a payscale. The bet is called “Pair or More” and hasthe following payscale as one example:

-   2 2 Jokers 50 to 1 Mini-Royal 20 to 1 Straight Flush 8 to 1 Straight    2 to 1 Pair 1 to 1

Another of the options in a second embodiment of the present inventionwould be to have a game that did not use any jokers and an example of apossible payscale for the “Pair or More” bet would be:

-   3 Pair of Aces 16 to 1 Straight Flush 6 to 1 One Pair 4 to 1    Straight 2 to 1

The payout schedules are preferably displayed in a convenient manner andlocation. At times the pay scales for different wagers and any extraante bonus payouts will be displayed on the playing layout itself and atother times the payouts will be on mobile display material.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention the initialtwo wagering options of an INITIAL ANTE bet against a dealer or a“PREDETERMINED PAYOUT SCHEDULE AGAINST A PAYSCALE” wager against a payscale may be of unequal amounts.

When the above wagers are in place, the dealer preferably shuffles thecards (manually or by shuffler) and then deals a two-card hand to eachplayer and themselves.

The cards may either be dealt face up or face down depending upon casinopolicy.

When the cards have been dealt, any player who has placed an INITIALANTE wager inspects his/her hand and determines whether to fold andforfeit their bet or to stay in by placing a support wager in the PLAYarea. The Play wager is possibly the same as the ANTE wager, but canalso be a supporting wager in one, two, tree, four, or five times theoriginal bet on the Ante. The PLAY wager is made by placing anappropriate chip on the section 16 marked “PLAY” on the player's playingarea 30. When the player has made the wager then he/she places the cardsin the Play area below the Play wager section 30.

If a player forfeits his/her ANTE wager, the dealer takes the wager andthe players cards are discarded before the game proceeds.

“PREDETERMINED PAYOUT SCHEDULE AGAINST A PAYSCALE” wagers are notaffected to this point. However, a player playing the “PREDETERMINEDPAYOUT SCHEDULE AGAINST A PAYSCALE” wager only, places his/her cards inthe playing area if they wish to continue the hand. If the player wishesto forfeit or fold their hand they would indicate this by tossing theirhand forward towards the dealer. If the player is also playing againstthe dealer with an ANTE wager, he/she must make a PLAY wager if he/shehas a winning “PREDETERMINED PAYOUT SCHEDULE AGAINST A PAYSCALE” wager.

The dealer reveals his/her cards and shows their best two card pokerhand. The dealer then in turn reveals each other player's cards (if theyhave not already been revealed), compares the players best two cardpoker hand to that of the dealer's, and resolves each players wager(s).

All the players with an ANTE and a PLAY wagers are automatically winnersif the dealer does not qualify with a predetermined high hand or better.This rank may be varied in accordance with the rules of the game or thecasino. Players are preferably paid even money on the INITIAL ANTE wagerand their PLAY wager is a push.

If the dealer does qualify with a PREDETERMINED minimum high hand orbetter, each player's hand is compared with that of the dealer. If theplayer's hand is higher ranked, then the player is paid even money onthe INITIAL ANTE and supporting PLAY wagers. If the player's hand is ofa lower rank then that of the dealer's, the player loses both the ANTEand PLAY wagers. If the dealer and the player have exactly the samehand, then the hand is a push and the player may withdraw his/her/wager,leave it, or adjust it for the next round.

The present game may also provide for an additional payout to be made bythe dealer, to the player who has made an ANTE wager and a PLAY wager,if the player achieves a predetermined hand ranking. The extra payoutwould be called the BUILT IN ANTE KICKER and would be paid regardless ofthe player beating the dealers hand or not. One preferred payoutschedule would be:

-   BUILT IN ANTE KICKER-   4 2 Jokers 5 to 1 Straight Flush 2 to 1

Players who have wagered on the value of the hand (I.E. PREDETERMINEDPAYOUT SCHEDULE AGAINST A PAYSCALE ) win if the hand is at least aMINIMUM RANKING OF A PREDERMINED AMOUNT and are paid by the dealeraccording to the posted pay scale. These payouts are independent of theresults of the game against the dealer.

This procedure completes one-half of the hands of the game.

Players who are now wagering on a second set of cards would now be dealtnew cards, from the remaining cards in the deck, and new cards would bedealt to the dealer. Play would continue once again as shown above.

This procedure would continue until the cards are shuffled for a newmultiple round of poker. Play then continues in another round, withplayers commencing to make wagers on the Initial Ante and/or thePREDETERMINED PAYOUT SCHEDULE AGAINST A PAYSCALE bets.

This novel method of playing a game may be utilized with playing cardsor as an electrical or electromechanical device such as a slot machine.Those skilled in the art will appreciate that suitable controls can beprovided for receiving the necessary input and therefore is within thescope of the present invention to provide a multi-unit video formatwherein a plurality of players may play against each other and/oragainst a dealer.

From the present description, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat various modifications may be made without departure from the scopeof the present invention. For example, the naming of the differentwagers, the naming and/or ranking of any hand, the changing of thenecessity of qualifying hands for both the dealer and/or the player, thepayout schedule, and predetermined winning or losing ranks may be variedin accordance with the rules of the game or the requirements of thecasino.

The table game layout may be varied from that which is described andshown. The rules may be varied, or additional rules imposed, within thescope of the invention. Additional optional or mandatory wagers may beincorporated into the game with a view toward enhancing the playersinterest and ability to win additional wagers.

One such bet is a “Bad Beat Wager”. If allowed the player may place a“Bad Beat Wager” before the cards are dealt out. The player would bewagering that they would achieve a hand of at least a certain publishedrank and that this hand would be beaten by the dealer's hand of a higherrank. The player would lose this optional bet if the hand did notachieve the posted minimum ranking and did not get beaten by thedealer's hand.

It will be appreciated that additional marked zones may be provided toaccommodate any additional optional side bets. The marking of thebetting zones would be noted accordingly so that the player would knowwhere to place their wager.

The precise wagering requirements may vary depending upon the casinorules but the nature of the game will stay the same, that is, a two cardpoker game dealt with multiple rounds from at least one deck. Theprecise wagering system can be varied in that any number of additionaland/or optional bets may be incorporated into the game, or additionalmandatory bets may be incorporated by different house rules. Thesechanges are not deemed to be a critical part of the present inventionrather the criticality is in the playing of a two card poker game withmultiple rounds of hands.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to thesole embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodimentswithin the scope of the following claims.

1. A method of playing a wagering game including a dealer and at leastone player comprising the steps of: (a). providing at least one standarddeck of 52 playing cards; (b). providing a published ranking of winninghands ranked from highest to lowest; (c). providing a predetermined payscale for winning hands; (d). providing a dealer and at least oneplayer; (e). commencing the game by having at least one player makecertain initial wagers selected from the following; (1) a first wageragainst the dealer, and (2) a separate voluntary wager against apredetermined pay scale; (f). commencing the dealing of at least onecards to each player, immediately after a shuffle; (g). commencing thedealing of at least one cards to the dealer, immediately after ashuffle; (h). said player proceeding to play the game by placing a thirdsupport wager in support of its first wager against the dealer; (i).comparing the players best one card hand against the dealer's best onecard hand and excluding all extra cards dealt to determine the relativeranking therebetween; (j). paying the players first wager against thedealer and player's third support wager if the player's hand outranksthe dealer's hand; (k). paying the player's separate voluntary wageragainst the predetermined pay scale if the player's hand has achieved arank at least as high as the first ranking from said published ranking;(l). taking the player's separate voluntary wager against thepredetermined pay scale if the player fails to achieve at least theminimum ranking from said published ranking; (m). taking the player'sfirst wager against the dealer and third support wager if the dealer'shand outranks the player's hand; and (n). returning the player's firstwager against the dealer and third support wager if said player has thesame ranking hand as the dealer; (o). Continuing with the method ofplaying a wagering game including a dealer and at least one player andcomprising with the continued below steps before a shuffle: (p).providing the remainder of at least one standard deck of 52 playingcards; (q). providing a published ranking of winning hands ranked fromhighest to lowest; (r). providing a predetermined pay scale for winninghands; (s). providing a dealer and at least one player; (t). continuingwith the game by dealing at least one more round of cards before ashuffle to at least one player that has made a certain wager selectedfrom the following; (1) a first wager against the dealer, and (2) aseparate voluntary wager against a predetermined pay scale; (u).continuing with the dealing of at least one cards to each player,immediately after the first round of a shuffle; (v). continuing with thedealing at least one cards to the dealer, immediately after the firstround of a shuffle; (w). said player proceeding to play the game byplacing a third support wager in support of its first wager against thedealer; (x). comparing the players best one card hand against thedealer's best one card hand and excluding all extra cards dealt todetermine the relative ranking therebetween; (y). paying the playersfirst wager against the dealer and player's third support wager if theplayer's hand outranks the dealer's hand; (z). paying the player'sseparate voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if theplayer's hand has achieved a rank at least as high as the first rankingfrom said published ranking; (z1). taking the player's separatevoluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player failsto achieve at least the minimum ranking from said published ranking;(z2). taking the player's first wager against the dealer and thirdsupport wager if the dealer's hand outranks the player's hand; and (z3).returning the player's first wager against the dealer and third supportwager if said player has the same ranking hand as the dealer;
 2. Amethod of playing a wagering game including a dealer and at least oneplayer comprising the steps of: (a). providing at least one standarddeck of 52 playing cards; (b). providing a published ranking of winninghands ranked from highest to lowest; (c). providing a predetermined payscale for winning hands; (d). providing a dealer and at least oneplayer; (e). commencing the game by having at least one player makecertain initial wagers selected from the following; (1) a first wageragainst the dealer, and (2) a separate voluntary wager against apredetermined pay scale; (f). commencing the dealing of at least twocards to each player, immediately after a shuffle; (g). commencing thedealing of at least two cards to the dealer, immediately after ashuffle; (h). said player proceeding to play the game by placing a thirdsupport wager in support of its first wager against the dealer; (i).comparing the players best two card hand against the dealer's best twocard hand and excluding all extra cards dealt to determine the relativeranking therebetween; (j). paying the players first wager against thedealer and player's third support wager if the player's hand outranksthe dealer's hand; (k). paying the player's separate voluntary wageragainst the predetermined pay scale if the player's hand has achieved arank at least as high as the first ranking from said published ranking;(l). taking the player's separate voluntary wager against thepredetermined pay scale if the player fails to achieve at least theminimum ranking from said published ranking; (m). taking the player'sfirst wager against the dealer and third support wager if the dealer'shand outranks the player's hand; and (n). returning the player's firstwager against the dealer and third support wager if said player has thesame ranking hand as the dealer; (o). Continuing with the method ofplaying a wagering game including a dealer and at least one player andcomprising with the continued below steps before a shuffle: (p).providing the remainder of at least one standard deck of 52 playingcards; (q). providing a published ranking of winning hands ranked fromhighest to lowest; (r). providing a predetermined pay scale for winninghands; (s). providing a dealer and at least one player; (t). continuingwith the game by dealing at least one more round of cards before ashuffle to at least one player that has made a certain wager selectedfrom the following; (1) a first wager against the dealer, and (2) aseparate voluntary wager against a predetermined pay scale; (u).continuing with the dealing of at least two cards to each player,immediately after the first round of a shuffle; (v). continuing with thedealing at least two cards to the dealer, immediately after the firstround of a shuffle; (w). said player proceeding to play the game byplacing a third support wager in support of its first wager against thedealer; (x). comparing the players best two card hand against thedealer's best one card hand and excluding all extra cards dealt todetermine the relative ranking therebetween; (y). paying the playersfirst wager against the dealer and player's third support wager if theplayer's hand outranks the dealer's hand; (z). paying the player'sseparate voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if theplayer's hand has achieved a rank at least as high as the first rankingfrom said published ranking; (z1). taking the player's separatevoluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player failsto achieve at least the minimum ranking from said published ranking;(z2). taking the player's first wager against the dealer and thirdsupport wager if the dealer's hand outranks the player's hand; and (z3).returning the player's first wager against the dealer and third supportwager if said player has the same ranking hand as the dealer;
 3. Amethod of playing a wagering game including a dealer and at least oneplayer comprising the steps of: (a). providing at least one standarddeck of 52 playing cards; (b). providing a published ranking of winninghands ranked from highest to lowest; (c). providing a predetermined payscale for winning hands; (d). providing a dealer and at least oneplayer; (e). commencing the game by having at least one player makecertain initial wagers selected from the following; (1) a first wageragainst the dealer, and (2) a separate voluntary wager against apredetermined pay scale; (f). commencing the dealing of at least threecards to each player, immediately after a shuffle; (g). commencing thedealing of at least three cards to the dealer, immediately after ashuffle; (h). said player proceeding to play the game by placing a thirdsupport wager in support of its first wager against the dealer; (i).comparing the players best three card hand against the dealer's bestthree card hand and excluding all extra cards dealt to determine therelative ranking therebetween; (j). paying the players first wageragainst the dealer and player's third support wager if the player's handoutranks the dealer's hand; (k). paying the player's separate voluntarywager against the predetermined pay scale if the player's hand hasachieved a rank at least as high as the first ranking from saidpublished ranking; (l). taking the player's separate voluntary wageragainst the predetermined pay scale if the player fails to achieve atleast the minimum ranking from said published ranking; (m). taking theplayer's first wager against the dealer and third support wager if thedealer's hand outranks the player's hand; and (n). returning theplayer's first wager against the dealer and third support wager if saidplayer has the same ranking hand as the dealer; (o). Continuing with themethod of playing a wagering game including a dealer and at least oneplayer and comprising with the continued below steps before a shuffle:(p). providing the remainder of at least one standard deck of 52 playingcards; (q). providing a published ranking of winning hands ranked fromhighest to lowest; (r). providing a predetermined pay scale for winninghands; (s). providing a dealer and at least one player; (t). continuingwith the game by dealing at least one more round of cards before ashuffle to at least one player that has made a certain wager selectedfrom the following; (1) a first wager against the dealer, and (2) aseparate voluntary wager against a predetermined pay scale; (u).continuing with the dealing of at least three cards to each player,immediately after the first round of a shuffle; (v). continuing with thedealing at least three cards to the dealer, immediately after the firstround of a shuffle; (w). said player proceeding to play the game byplacing a third support wager in support of its first wager against thedealer; (x). comparing the players best three card hand against thedealer's best three card hand and excluding all extra cards dealt todetermine the relative ranking therebetween; (y). paying the playersfirst wager against the dealer and player's third support wager if theplayer's hand outranks the dealer's hand; (z). paying the player'sseparate voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if theplayer's hand has achieved a rank at least as high as the first rankingfrom said published ranking; (z1). taking the player's separatevoluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player failsto achieve at least the minimum ranking from said published ranking;(z2). taking the player's first wager against the dealer and thirdsupport wager if the dealer's hand outranks the player's hand; and (z3).returning the player's first wager against the dealer and third supportwager if said player has the same ranking hand as the dealer;
 4. Amethod of playing a wagering game including a dealer and at least oneplayer comprising the steps of: (a). providing at least one standarddeck of 52 playing cards; (b). providing a published ranking of winninghands ranked from highest to lowest; (c). providing a predetermined payscale for winning hands; (d). providing a dealer and at least oneplayer; (e). commencing the game by having at least one player makecertain initial wagers selected from the following; (1) a first wageragainst the dealer, and (2) a separate voluntary wager against apredetermined pay scale; (f). commencing the dealing of at least fourcards to each player, immediately after a shuffle; (g). commencing thedealing of at least four cards to the dealer, immediately after ashuffle; (h). said player proceeding to play the game by placing a thirdsupport wager in support of its first wager against the dealer; (i).comparing the players best four card hand against the dealer's best fourcard hand and excluding all extra cards dealt to determine the relativeranking therebetween; (j). paying the players first wager against thedealer and player's third support wager if the player's hand outranksthe dealer's hand; (k). paying the player's separate voluntary wageragainst the predetermined pay scale if the player's hand has achieved arank at least as high as the first ranking from said published ranking;(l). taking the player's separate voluntary wager against thepredetermined pay scale if the player fails to achieve at least theminimum ranking from said published ranking; (m). taking the player'sfirst wager against the dealer and third support wager if the dealer'shand outranks the player's hand; and (n). returning the player's firstwager against the dealer and third support wager if said player has thesame ranking hand as the dealer; (o). Continuing with the method ofplaying a wagering game including a dealer and at least one player andcomprising with the continued below steps before a shuffle: (p).providing the remainder of at least one standard deck of 52 playingcards; (q). providing a published ranking of winning hands ranked fromhighest to lowest; (r). providing a predetermined pay scale for winninghands; (s). providing a dealer and at least one player; (t). continuingwith the game by dealing at least one more round of cards before ashuffle to at least one player that has made a certain wager selectedfrom the following; (1) a first wager against the dealer, and (2) aseparate voluntary wager against a predetermined pay scale; (u).continuing with the dealing of at least four cards to each player,immediately after the first round of a shuffle; (v). continuing with thedealing at least four cards to the dealer, immediately after the firstround of a shuffle; (w). said player proceeding to play the game byplacing a third support wager in support of its first wager against thedealer; (x). comparing the players best four card hand against thedealer's best one card hand and excluding all extra cards dealt todetermine the relative ranking therebetween; (y). paying the playersfirst wager against the dealer and player's third support wager if theplayer's hand outranks the dealer's hand; (z). paying the player'sseparate voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if theplayer's hand has achieved a rank at least as high as the first rankingfrom said published ranking; (z1). taking the player's separatevoluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player failsto achieve at least the minimum ranking from said published ranking;(z2). taking the player's first wager against the dealer and thirdsupport wager if the dealer's hand outranks the player's hand; and (z3).returning the player's first wager against the dealer and third supportwager if said player has the same ranking hand as the dealer;
 5. Amethod of playing a wagering game including a dealer and at least oneplayer comprising the steps of: (a). providing at least one standarddeck of 52 playing cards; (b). providing a published ranking of winninghands ranked from highest to lowest; (c). providing a predetermined payscale for winning hands; (d). providing a dealer and at least oneplayer; (e). commencing the game by having at least one player makecertain initial wagers selected from the following; (1) a first wageragainst the dealer, and (2) a separate voluntary wager against apredetermined pay scale; (f). commencing the dealing of at least fivecards to each player, immediately after a shuffle; (g). commencing thedealing of at least five cards to the dealer, immediately after ashuffle; (h). said player proceeding to play the game by placing a thirdsupport wager in support of its first wager against the dealer; (i).comparing the players best one card hand against the dealer's best onecard hand and excluding all extra cards dealt to determine the relativeranking therebetween; (j). paying the players first wager against thedealer and player's third support wager if the player's hand outranksthe dealer's hand; (k). paying the player's separate voluntary wageragainst the predetermined pay scale if the player's hand has achieved arank at least as high as the first ranking from said published ranking;(l). taking the player's separate voluntary wager against thepredetermined pay scale if the player fails to achieve at least theminimum ranking from said published ranking; (m). taking the player'sfirst wager against the dealer and third support wager if the dealer'shand outranks the player's hand; and (n). returning the player's firstwager against the dealer and third support wager if said player has thesame ranking hand as the dealer; (o). Continuing with the method ofplaying a wagering game including a dealer and at least one player andcomprising with the continued below steps before a shuffle: (p).providing the remainder of at least one standard deck of 52 playingcards; (q). providing a published ranking of winning hands ranked fromhighest to lowest; (r). providing a predetermined pay scale for winninghands; (s). providing a dealer and at least one player; (t). continuingwith the game by dealing at least one more round of cards before ashuffle to at least one player that has made a certain wager selectedfrom the following; (1) a first wager against the dealer, and (2) aseparate voluntary wager against a predetermined pay scale; (u).continuing with the dealing of at least five cards to each player,immediately after the first round of a shuffle; (v). continuing with thedealing at least five cards to the dealer, immediately after the firstround of a shuffle; (w). said player proceeding to play the game byplacing a third support wager in support of its first wager against thedealer; (x). comparing the players best five card hand against thedealer's best five card hand and excluding all extra cards dealt todetermine the relative ranking therebetween; (y). paying the playersfirst wager against the dealer and player's third support wager if theplayer's hand outranks the dealer's hand; (z). paying the player'sseparate voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if theplayer's hand has achieved a rank at least as high as the first rankingfrom said published ranking; (z1). taking the player's separatevoluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player failsto achieve at least the minimum ranking from said published ranking;(z2). taking the player's first wager against the dealer and thirdsupport wager if the dealer's hand outranks the player's hand; and (z3).returning the player's first wager against the dealer and third supportwager if said player has the same ranking hand as the dealer;
 6. Themethod of playing a wagering game as set-forth in claim 1 above, whereinthe dealer and each player is dealt an integer of 1-7 cards, and eachthe dealer and the player can continue play with the best handachievable by any lesser of at least one of the original amount of cardsdealt and exclude all extra cards dealt, and determining a winning handby comparing the one, two, three, four, five, six or seven cardcombination of each player's hand against the dealers hand and againstany pre-determined pay scale in the event of optional bets placed by theplayer by such pre-determined pay scales.
 7. The method of playing awagering game as set forth in claim 1 above, which provides for playersto place additional side bets, wherein the game further includes stepsof: providing each player with an additional optional progressive wagerfor a one, two, three, four, five, six or seven card progression,providing a pre-determined published ranking of winning card progressivehands, providing a predetermined pay scale for each of saidpre-determined ranking of winning 1-7 card progressive hands, allowingthe wagering game to continue with the best of 1-7 cards, and paying theplayers progressive optional wager if the player's 1-7 card hand matchesany one of the pre-determined published ranking of winning 1-7 cardprogressive hands.
 8. The method of playing a wagering game as set forthin claim 1 above, wherein the dealer mush achieve a qualifying hand ofat least (2) two high to continue playing and the failure to achievesaid qualifying hand results in the dealer losing and paying each playerthe initial ante wager by each player against the dealer.
 9. The methodof playing a wagering game as set forth in claim 8 above, wherein thenecessary qualifying hand required by the dealer in order to continue toplay may be pre-determined in accordance with any desired ranking.
 10. Amethod of playing a wagering game including a dealer and at least oneplayer comprising the steps of: (a). providing at least one standarddeck of 52 playing cards; (b). providing a published ranking of winninghands ranked from highest to lowest; (c). providing a predetermined payscale for winning hands; (d). providing a set pre-determined minimumhand ranking for a dealer to achieve as a qualifying hand without whicha dealer will lose after all cards are dealt; (e). providing a dealerand at least one player; (f). commencing the game by having at least oneplayer make certain initial wagers selected from the following; (1) afirst wager against the dealer, and (2) a separate voluntary wageragainst a predetermined pay scale; (g). dealing at least four cards toeach player (h). dealing at least four cards to the dealer; (i). endingthe game if the dealer fails to achieve a qualifying hand in accordancewith said pre-determined hand ranking and the dealer paying the player'swager if the player placed a first wager against the dealer and payingthe players second wager if the player waged said separate wager againstsaid pre-determined pay scale and achieved a ranking hand pursuant tosaid published ranking; (j). proceeding with the game if the dealer hasachieved said qualifying hand; (k). said player proceeding to play thegame by placing a third support wager in support of its first wageragainst the dealer; (l). comparing the players best 1-7 card handagainst the dealer's best 1-7 card hand and excluding all extra cardsdealt to determine the relative ranking therebetween; (m). paying theplayers first wager against the dealer and player's third support wagerif the player's hand outranks the dealer's hand; (n). paying theplayer's separate voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale ifthe player's hand has achieved a rank at least as high as the firstranking from said published ranking; (o). taking the player's separatevoluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if the player failsto achieve at least the minimum ranking from said published ranking;(p). taking the player's first wager against the dealer and thirdsupport wager if the dealer's hand outranks the player's hand; and (q).returning the player's first wager against the dealer and third supportwager if said player has the same ranking hand as the dealer.
 8. Amethod of playing a wagering game including a dealer and at least oneplayer comprising the steps of: (a). providing at least one standarddeck of 52 playing cards; (b). providing a published ranking of winninghands ranked from highest to lowest; (c). providing a predetermined payscale for winning hands; (d). providing a set predetermined minimum handranking for a player to achieve as a qualifying hand without which aplayer win lose after all cards are dealt; (e). providing a dealer andat least one player; (f). commencing the game by having at least oneplayer make certain initial wagers selected from the following; (1) afirst wager against the dealer, and (2) a separate voluntary wageragainst a predetermined pay scale; (g). dealing at least 1-7 cards toeach player (h). dealing at least 1-7 cards to the dealer; (i). endingthe game if the player fails to achieve a qualifying hand in accordancewith said pre-determined hand ranking and the dealer taking the player'sfirst wager; (j). proceeding with the game if the player has achievedsaid qualifying hand; (k). said player proceeding to play the game byplacing a third support wager in support of its first wager against thedealer; (l). comparing the players best 1-7 card hand against thedealer's best 1-7 card hand and excluding all extra cards dealt todetermine the relative ranking therebetween; (m). paying the playersfirst wager against the dealer and player's third support wager if theplayer's hand outranks the dealer's hand; (n). paying the player'sseparate voluntary wager against the predetermined pay scale if theplayer's hand has achieved a rank at least as high as the first rankingfrom said published ranking; (o). taking the player's separate voluntarywager against the predetermined pay scale if the player fails to achieveat least the minimum ranking from said published ranking;
 9. The methodof playing a wagering game as set forth in claim 1 above, wherein aplayer is provided with an opportunity to place an additional bad beatwager including the further steps of: providing a pre-determinedpublished ranking of winning bad beat hands, permitting the player toplace an additional wager against said pre-determined published rankingof winning bad beat hands, providing that the player may win saidadditional wager even in the event the player's hand is outranked by thedealer's hand so long as the player's hand appears on the pre-determinedpublished ranking of winning bad beat hands.